5 Things: Leonard deal’s potential impact

The NBA concluded its investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap circumvention, imposing severe penalties. The Clippers forfeited five first-round picks and were fined $30 million. Leonard received a $700,000 fine, while Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and president Gillian Zucker were suspended for a year. Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, faced a six-month ban.

The penalties have significant long-term implications for the Clippers. They will forfeit a first-round pick in five straight NBA drafts starting in 2029, meaning their next homegrown first-round pick won't be available until 2032. The trade that had been held up for months, involving Leonard and Paul George, can now proceed.

Kawhi Leonard's move to the Toronto Raptors is expected to greatly benefit the team. Last season, Toronto had the fifth-best defense in the NBA, and Leonard's addition could make them even tougher. As a two-time defensive player of the year and seven-time NBA all-defensive team selection, Leonard will replace Brandon Ingram, who was a poor defender.

Toronto will send Ingram's $40 million contract and Gradey Dick's $7.1 million expiring deal to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard. With Leonard's $50.3 million contract expiring at the end of the 2026-27 season, the Raptors will have a better chance to re-sign their own star, Scottie Barnes, for the 2027-28 season.